Yakiniku Horumon Bonzu ぼんず @ Shinjuku

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku, there is an excellent yakiniku restaurant that makes you accept that “smoke is part of the feast.” 

Bonzo Yakiniku and Horumon is a popular Japanese restaurant in Akasaka known for its high-quality Wagyu beef, fresh horumon (offal), energetic and friendly service, and a nostalgic, casual atmosphere. The restaurant offers high-quality kuroge wagyu (Japanese Black Wagyu) at reasonable prices.

The restaurant has a lively and vibrant atmosphere, often filled with groups of friends and colleagues after work. It’s bright and bustling, making it an ideal space to enjoy yakiniku. 

The non alcoholic drinks are huge… A delightful service for non-alcohol drinkers. I heard the owner made them this size because he’s not a fan of alcohol, which is amusing.

The staff were bright and energetic, taking orders promptly. They provided detailed explanations of the dishes and recommended ways to enjoy them, even grilling everything for us. The heat from the stone grill releases an enticing aroma, continuously elevating the flavour until the very end.

キムチ2種盛 Assorted 2 Kinds of Korean Style Spicy Pickled Cabbage

ナムル2種盛 Assorted 2 Kinds of Korean Style Bean Sprout Appetizer

The first two pickles were spicy Napa cabbage kimchi and cucumber kimchi. And the second two appetisers were spinach and bean sprouts. And unlike KBBQ where banchan (side dishes) are refillable, these appetisers were delicious but not refillable.

本日のサラダ Today’s Salad

The salad was just sweet cabbage dressed with soy sauce and sesame oil. Vegetables from Japan are of a different class and quality in terms of flavour, sweetness and crunchiness.

黒毛和牛のぜっぴんカルビ Sukiyaki Style Prime Black “Wagyu” Beef

ぜっぴんカルビ “Zeppin Ribs” is a common name that refers to a part characterised by beautiful marbling and rich taste, especially high-quality rib cut meat called “triangular rose”. Quickly seared on the outside and served rare, dipping it in the raw egg yolk sauce like sukiyaki is an experience beyond just “melting in your mouth.” The egg yolk gave the fatty beef the creaminess it needed.

生タン3種盛 Assorted Beef Tongue Platter (3 kinds of Beef Tongue)

 Their gyutan offerings are known for variety and their deliciousness. The cuts provided are fresh and not from frozen sources.

塩ホルモン3種盛 Assorted Salty Taste Horumon Platter (3 kinds of beef offals)

The Japanese principle of “mottainai” — meaning “it’s a shame” or “that’s wasteful” — deeply roots the concept of horumon. Horumon, therefore, is more than a culinary choice; it is a cultural statement reflecting Japan’s respect for nature’s resources.

黒毛和牛の飲めるロース Thinly Sliced “Wagyu” Beef Loin Cooked Very Rare

Thinly sliced wagyu beef loin, grilled for just 15 seconds, with high-quality fat that simply melts in your mouth and disappears down your throat. Truly a “drinkable” loin 飲めるロース.

味噌ホルモン3種盛 Assorted Miso Taste Horumon Platter (3 kinds of offals)

本日の刺し2種 Today’s Two Kinds of Sashimi

ライス Rice

The set menu comes with two kinds of sashimi. They were two different “rice stealers”. Appreciated, but I wished I had other types of sashimi instead.

ぼんずの盛岡冷麺小 Small Gourmet Cold Noodles

The Morioka style of cold noodle that has its origin from North Korean naengmyeon rounded up the set menu. Shaved ice broth lightly covers the potato starch noodles, which are refreshingly cold and chewy. It resets your palate while tempting you for another bite.

Gathering around the shichirin with friends, savoring expertly grilled meat, is an incredibly luxurious and enjoyable experience. This is undoubtedly a place to remember in Shinjuku. It was a great meal. 

Yakiniku Horumon Bonzu Shinjuku Honkan 焼肉・ホルモン ぼんず 新宿本館
3-35-11, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 東京都新宿区新宿３-３５-１１
Tel : +81 (050) 5593 6646 (Reservations)

Visited Jul 2025